How to Control Impulse Spending (I've Been Blowing Our Budget, Because I'm STRESSED)

[@hannahjames3398]

Hear me out, but the best thing that has helped me to not spend any money is to leave my cards and cash at home. I make sure when I walk out the door for the day I have gas in my car and a lunch or snack packed. That way I won’t be tempted to stop in the store and “grab a few things “. Or buy something I can live without. Try it for a week and see how much you’ll save just by not spending here and there.

[@armenianchik]

That's what I also have to do!

[@simplesimple111]

i will try this, thank u

[@football_editz453]

Could you please do a video about what frugal meals your family typically eat in a week and whether you're stockpiling food?

[@kristymichas7015]

Love Frugal I would love to see a video like this as well !!!!! 🙏

[@josmith2002]

Aussie Debt Free Girl posts great videos on this 😊

[@kerrylow6894]

I make sure i delete my details of cards from amazon as books are my kryptonite!

[@oregonk91]

@Kerry Low check out books at the local public library! (That way I don't even have to dust them! LOL!) Audio and digital items are available for download as well. The public library is free to use!

[@melanie453022]

Hey Dana ...if your reading this ...Please come back ...we miss you tons !!!! hugsssssss

[@kerrylow6894]

My children used to try and spend a lot of my money but now they do chores for commission and i buy their basics but nothing else. They are so much more careful with the money as its theirs. I love watching them spend as the y really consider their purchases.

[@pegasus514]

my first allowance was .15 cents. yes, .15 cents I had no concept of money, i spent the .15 in the candy store. the following weekend, when it was movie day, I asked for money. mom made it plain that the .15 was all I would get for the week. i missed that movie, but it never happened again. p.s. i was raised by depression babies. most of u probably do not know what that means, look it up. THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

[@football_editz453]

I've been going crazy with scented candles and chocolate recently. 😳

[@cpandfamily1]

Me too!!! I bought disney scented candles since I can't go and watch virtual trips. Talk about impulse. 😆

[@kieshabudhoo4174]

You are not alone. I'm burning candles every evening and into the night, during my baths and even in the mornings while playing Christmas music as a background...it just makes the days better

[@williamhofmans3763]

The answer to all life's problems.

[@lolipena8051]

Same! Candles, white chocolate, and ice cream!!! I was so against candle because you are literally burning money. But hey same thing about food, you poop that out. At least the candles output smells better lmao

[@carolmckellar2479]

I love scented foam soaps. Also books are my weakness.

[@denisestathatos4147]

Ask your friends and family members to give you gift cards to the favorite places to shop! Another suggestion that I got from the website Living on a dime to grow rich! Divide the cost of an item by your hourly rate and then you find out how many hours of pay it took to buy that item.

[@athenakeesee9548]

I also do this! When I realize that some item of clothing that I don't need costs two hours of work, I can easily put it back.

[@isabellanicotera]

I've begun using cash since I've been unemployed to take control of my budget

[@acajudi100]

Hominy and turkey skinless long links. Baked chicken or turkey wings with cornbread Stuffing. Smothered bone in chicken over rice. Ginger Ale. Schweppes battered shrimps. Supreme beef tamales with Hormel turkey Chili with beans Homemade from scratch mac and cheese. Corn Beef Hash with egg. Grits, cheese eggs, turkey bacon. Oatmeal Spaghetti and 96% ground beef and tomato sauce. Sauerkraut, boiled potatoes, and turkey bacon. Cubed steak, mashed potatoes and corn. Dirty rice and asparagus Mazola corn oil Sardines in Mustard, and I add Louisiana hot sauce. Tuna and small packets of condiments if power lost. Walmart 300 paper plates. Dawn, Borax, Clorox, White Vinegar, Braggs Vinegar, apple cider vinegar. Olives, Bread and Butter Pickles,Sweet Baby Ray Barbecue sauces. Couscous, vegetables, and chicken. Mustard Greens and Kale. Dinty Moore Beef Stew over rice, green beans, Aunt Jemima pancakes and syrup. Riceland rice, Balsamic Instant powdered milk, eggs, shrimp,chicken, ground beef 96%, Supreme beef tamales, Hormel beef tamales. Maraschino cherries. can fruits, vegetables and chicken breast. Can soups. All Jumex juices, and others. These are a few of the meals and products, I use. I only cook every 3 days, and I want what I want at any time. I do have Frosted flakes, Cheerios, Raisin Bran I know Pork is nasty and deadly, so I avoid it and any products made from that nasty body eating etc. pig. I love Sabritones , and I mix with other snacks. Pepsi and WATER!!! Walmart online and home delivery.

[@sheila3936]

I love your intro music. I can hear it before I click on the video.

[@Jodie29687]

I agree!

[@434sweetness]

Turning off my credit card and giving it to my 15 year daughter whom has learn about debt and doesn't want it

[@morgankirkendall5829]

What do you do w impluse CASH buying??? My bank is in the hub of where i like to shop... thirft stores 3 with 5 miles of each other. Plus the impulse buying who "stops" before hand.... its after the feeling passes your like...oh i really didnt NEED THIS.

[@hollynauss6359]

I ask myself what will happen if I do not buy the item.

[@oldfitchick55]

I deposited my cash envelopes when the coin shortage started and yesterday I withdrew them from the bank. I discovered I get swipe happy with a debit card the same way I did with a credit card. I must have the money in my hands to control it. I’m bad!!!

[@smallfamilysmallbudget1817]

Me too!! I can not have my debt card! I will swipe, and not pay attention. I started in January the cash envelopes and I have been so much better!

[@athenakeesee9548]

One tip I have for online shopping is to keep items in your Shopping Bag, then wait a week to actually check out. 95% of the time, I've decided not to purchase the items. Sometimes I greatly reduce the items in the cart and just buy the items that will actually make an impact. Even going online shopping and not checking out is enough of a dopamine rush, I don't need to finalize the order.

[@sandbel]

Omg I’m the same… once I checked my Amazon cart; It was 3k!!!! I didn’t buy a thing and was relieved to know I didn’t pull the trigger 😂

[@TheImperfectReader]

A lot of impulse spending with my gas card..I get snacks, random gas station stuff and cases of water...ughh need to slow down.

[@oregonk91]

I use the Amazon Wish List when I'm tempted to buy something. That way it isn't popping up in my cart the next time I'm using Amazon. I often forget about the items completely, and the money stays in my bank account!

[@pegasus514]

i did not ever realize that option was there. thanx.

[@Mrsmadison45]

We are on a No Spend for October, November & December, I used to have problems impulse spending although I started a journal 📓 and I write down what I was feeling. I do Grocery pick up every 2 weeks from Walmart, I shop Aldi every 2 weeks and I stick to my list , because we live on a monthly budget Fixed income , my Husbands Pension & Social Security (I’m not old enough yet I have a year to go) We are making ALL gifts, our Goal is to have our Mortgage to be paid off in 15 months!!!! When we need something from Amazon for A NEED definitely the prime but we don’t have it currently bc of our NO Spend Months !!!! Lots of Will Power ❤️. Love your channel

[@truluvw8ts73]

Great video! Been struggling with this as well. Will definitely be taking your advice on board 🙂

[@min_tea_]

I set up capital one 360 accounts for all of my budgeting categories like I would cash envelopes. I go into the account and transfer it into my main 360 checking account instantly if I want to spend from that category. It’s still not the feeling of cash, but you can see that category dwindling.

[@rozarka4328]

The cash thing is interesting. In my country, we are encouraged to not use cash because of hygienic reasons. Nowadays almost everyone has a contactless card (or pays with their phone) so a cashier doesn't have to touch your stuff. And if you order online, you are supposed to pay before the item is delivered for the same reasons (minimizing contact with a courier).

[@auntyharry]

Rozarka.....Absolutely agree. I’ve always been someone who uses cash for day-to-day expenses. I found it much easier to visualise (with cash) how much money I had in the budget to last me until the end of the pay period. However, even shopping in person in physical stores, so many places aren’t even accepting cash payments at this time. You are forced into using “tap and pay” with the card. So, I’ve resumed using my budget tracking app on my phone. I’ve been doing this diligently so that I can track what I’m spending and not lose sight of how much is going out. It’s a bit annoying, but it works. 👍🏻

[@SAHMtoRN]

I recently struggled with this (first week of school stress) but fortunately I was able to return all my Amazon purchases and get a refund! Thanks for talking about this, Dana ♥️

[@vedatobias1702]

Grocery stores here in Indiana only take debit cards and not cash! It’s crazy!

[@pegasus514]

no choice? sounds ominous.

[@LifewithKrystle]

I am a doll collector and I use to make a lot of impulse purchases on outfits for my dolls but I have started to try and pre plan my purchases more and be more mindful on what I absolutely love for my collection and what I just kind of like. I use to shop a lot on Etsy for handmade clothes but I have started to just favourite items on there now and then walk away. Days or weeks or even months later I will go back to look over my favourites and I often find half the stuff I favourited I either don’t like or want to buy anymore or they have already sold. Then I can narrow it down to what I really want to buy and pre plan for those things. For groceries I find it’s best if my husband does the grocery shopping. I make the list and he goes and get the items and he rarely gets anything not on the list. If I go with him I tend to impulse buy extras not on the list but things I see and think that looks so good. With that said, I my husband and I have been debt free for many years now, so even if I do have impulse purchases, I never buy anything I don’t actually have the money for. I make sure I know I can pay off the card at the end of each month.

[@TheChoiceofMotherhood]

I totally need this video! I've been trying to do a no spend year (I started July 1) and tracking all my spending. I was away in September (adoption pick up trip) so I didn't want to restrict me spending too much and it was hard to track with different currencies. Now that we are home and October has started I want to get back on track. My impulse buying is almost always food! Junk food! And without using cash is way too easy for me to add a bit here and there, go through the drive thru, etc. Any suggestions for sticking to the budget when grocery shopping without cash? We don't have delivery here so I have to shop in person.

[@kindcounselor]

Thank you Dana, for your honesty and humanness....I use a credit card now, and then go on my bank daily to pay. This is safer actually because a purchase can be disputed with a credit card..but the money is taken out immediately with a debit card.. I keep a tight budget. I love that you advised us to seek the reasons why we purchase items....and to walk away from your cart for 24 hours to think about the purchase. Its a challenging time...to substitute the activity of buying to another activity. Habits are hard to change. Thank you again. Please continue your insights they are wonderful!

[@lovealwaysjasmine]

Your house is haunted Dana lol

[@itsallaboutnothing2672]

😆😆😆😆😆

[@fabby80]

So I discovered the happy planner!!!. The first month I only got one and some stickers and then they got a clearance sale and everything was just ''such a great price " .needless to say that month was not good ,nowadays I dont buy anything because I feel I have enough and i will save for anything else I might want instead

[@judimardula8685]

favy lol! I got the big happy planner and a bunch of sticker books. However, I am using it. I am much more organized..and broke!

[@irenebaker8263]

Any updates on your front porch? Would love to see it! Thanks for sharing and being real with your money spending and stress! Love when you said those words "stick to the budget " resonated with me just to hear those words again!

[@christinekleinschmidt3082]

I leave something for 30 days. This gives plenty of time to think if you really need it, and I ask if I can live without it etc

[@ilovemyservicedog8862]

So I used to do something called sleep shopping where I would get up by some random stuff and go back to sleep and then boxes would show that my door and I would have no memory of actually ordering anything.

[@jessiemadanat5455]

It's also about changing the habit. Instead of thrifting I spend time walking in nature with a podcast or 90s music.

[@timehealthfit1891]

You're more helpful than you realize i just liked and subbed, want to be youtube friends?

[@lanabrooks1554]

One thing I cannot do is be without at least my debit card in case I get a tire blowout or some other emergency. I have a cash emergency fund for things that can wait or for home repairs, but when out on the road I would feel very vulnerable without it.

[@anitaluevano9643]

I'm shopping for winter clothes im panicked if there's another shut down here in los angeles stay home order we won't be able to get items we need I dont like shopping on line my family predictions are after thanks giving that there will be another stay home order

[@Adz2kill]

Good to see your human, Dana. I always wait for the other shoe to drop, you can't keep up this stuff forever and not hit a wall.

[@geniajirak4303]

I have been dealing with shopping addiction for a lot of years now. Right now I still haven't been into a bigger store and am honestly afraid to go into. I even leave things in my cart often and just sort of let it go away. My biggest downfall has been Zulily. In a store I walk around alot and look.through my cart and decide if an item is "needes" and take it out. My thing is getting things for the family and home that I am having money one and that I help the family. I have been anxious and shopping because of that and I really respect your lifestyle and determination and thank you for sharing and your pointers about handling it.

[@gronddd363]

Thanks for the tips, Dana. It helps a lot

[@rhondanerren4797]

I’ve been missing you, Dana! Where have you gone?

[@letsmakeamesstoday]

Yep its a whole new world 😷

[@evabognar9167]

Never been so early in my life!

[@jncchang176]

When the stay at home first start, I took the opportunity to save cash & paying down debt. But now going into month 6, and I’m spending more than pre-pandemic. Because we want the free shipping and free delivery, cash back, etc, etc... Plus now more than ever, we are spending more money on home improvements; gardening, or making more room...

[@wendyclcl]

Thanks for your great tips. I just recently discovered your channel. I used to live and work in Philadelphia as well. What a lovely city you live.

[@amazonorchid1321]

Your hair is getting sooo long!! 😉

[@liliamrodriguez3020]

Great video thanks

[@hollyandleah]

This has been very helpful for me! I definitely impulse spend out of trying to soothe myself from stress. Glad I found you!

[@sharonkake7660]

I always say is it a need or a want.

[@StorybookHouse]

$300/month for spending money? That sounds generous but when you are debt free and financially stable you can be generous ! How much for groceries? (Unless it's too personal)

[@Mrssupermumm]

I hope you're all okay Dana. We are all juggling so much, it is hard and my thing is shopping too. I have to stop myself and it's not easy, I have so many to buy for.lol. We seem to always need some thing. Good luck. Thanks for your honesty as usual. X

[@kayb6803]

There is research data to verify what Dana is saying about how it’s physically painful to give up cash. And it’s pleasurable to use credit cards or debit. Check out behavioral economics and the fields research on the brain and spending habits.

[@rainbowphoenix8168]

Thanks, Dana! Be gentle with yourself-this is an incredibly difficult time...Trying to work while you have multiple kids online is a definite juggling act that has no manual! I teach (1st and second graders) and when some of the kids unmute to answer questions, I can hear my colleagues teaching their siblings in the background! I also hear my own daughter’s teacher teaching her down the hall. We are all doing the best we can in the madness.🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🙏🏼

[@mariacastillo3090]

Hi Dana. I’m definitely an impulse buyer :-(. What I’m really writing about how much I love your office. 😁

[@relaxingnaturesounds9675]

I need to start suing cash more. The swiping of the card is just so easy and simple. Maybe too easy

[@mikewallin6049]

If you see a good deal jump on it...for example we went to Aldi and they had a GREAT deal on coffee so we bought every bottle we could...we know we're going to use it but we stocked up at the discounted price.

[@Noname77331]

Thanks!

[@sergiosilberman8128]

300 dollars is a good amount to spend.I think it is enough.

[@pia9343]

Living in a free state of GA, stores are packed with items, people are out just like before the Plandemic. I have saved incredible amount of money during the past 6 months. We bought our house 2 weeks ago with CASH!

[@deborahkristensen9344]

I miss you and hope you are ok!

[@jennysok8320]

Self soothing good word for it.

[@christinabarrick9107]

Thank you so much for this video. I've been struggling and feeling so much guilt, which of course makes me impulse shop more.